I was really excited when KEEN reached out and wanted me to test the KEEN Ridge Flex Waterproof Boots. Not only are these boots waterproof, they fit very well, and protect my feet in even the roughest terrain. This is also my first time trying out the KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX technology and I’ve been pleasantly surprised and ready to Hike Happy.
First of all, Cally has a similar style of boots that she does everything in and swears by them but I usually just opt for a light hiker. I was excited to add something to my closet that offers better stability, support, and traction than the typical light hiker. Secondly, Keen has developed the KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX which they say “requires 60% less energy to bend so each step feels easier” (keen.com). In addition to easing fatigue on those long days, the KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX also helps keep these boots in better shape for longer. Most leather boots will weaken and crack over time where flexed and that was one driving force behind this technology.
I’ve not properly tested the KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX by means of wearing a solid leather boot on one foot and the Ridge Flex on the other however I can say that for the long hikes I’ve endured in the Ridge Flex, my feet feel surprisingly good at the end of the day.
The Ridge Flex boots are built with Keen’s KEEN.DRY waterproof protection. I think for a boot like this, waterproofing is key. While these boots keep moisture out, they’re also breathable. I will say I feel like these boots are hot for my feet however that would be the case for me for any boot of this scope. My feet run extremely hot and it’s one of the main reasons I stay away from boots like these. Since it’s more of a personal problem, I often can outweigh the negative (of having my feet hot) with the benefits like stability, support, waterproofing, and traction.
When I first threw on the Ridge Flex Boots for a hike, I was quite surprised by how comfortable they were out of the box. After a couple of short hikes, they were pretty much broken in and ready to roll. I never had any blisters and would say that compared to some boots, the break-in period seemed to be very minimal. In terms of sizing, these are true to size. I am typically a size 10 and the Ridge Flex 10s fit as they should. I was worried that these would be too wide in the toe box but they’re actually spot on. My heal locks in ensuring my feet don’t start to rub oddly on those long days.
While I haven’t covered every feature of the Ridge Flex Mid Boots in this write-up, one more feature I feel is worth mentioning is the traction of the boot. These boots are built with 5mm multi-directional lugs for traction and my favorite part about this is that while they’re a moderately aggressive sole and offer amazing traction no matter the terrain, these don’t look overly aggressive. I like that it’s an aggressive tread with a moderate look. Hiking in Colorado, rocks are usually a large part of the day and these tackle them with ease.
If you’re looking for a supportive, stable, waterproof hiking boot that offers easy flex, check out the Ridge Flex Mid Waterproof Boot. These can easily be adapted from short daily hikes to multi-day backcountry excursions. The hope is that they’re last longer than your traditional leather hiking book with the incorporation of KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX technology. I’ve only been in these since February so time will tell how they withstand the abuse that I’ll continue to throw at them.
*This review was paid for by KEEN but it’s important to know that all thoughts are honest and our own. Getting paid for reviews like this help us get out and explore more and bring you content that is useful.
